Coronavirus update: President Trump declared a national emergency Friday, March 13, to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
He said it would allow the White House to release the full power of the federal government, and release access to up to $50 billion to support response efforts for states.
The announcement comes as the White House named other new measures to try to speed up testingfor COVID-19. The steps include a new federal coordinator and a hotline for labs to call for help in finding supplies.
Watch the news confefrence live below at 3 p.m.
(This post was updated following President Trump's remarks March 13, 2020)